U.S. patent number 5,718,000 [Application Number 08/756,279] was granted by the patent office on 1998-02-17 for modular, all season multi-compartment clothing.
Invention is credited to Karen R. Manfre, Lynn Van Ost.
United States Patent |
5,718,000 |
Ost , et al. |
February 17, 1998 |
Modular, all season multi-compartment clothing
Abstract
A multi-compartment, modular jacket includes a vest which has a
vest front panel, a vest rear panel, a pair of armholes and a
fastener for opening the vest. A plurality of pockets covers the
outer surface of the vest. The vest has a fastener for releasably
attaching a pair of detachable sleeves to the pair of armholes. The
inner jacket has a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of sleeves and
a means for opening the inner jacket. The exterior surface of the
rear panel has a pouch. A plurality of pockets covers the pouch and
the exterior surface. The inner jacket has a collar which contains
a collapsible hood. A first composite jacket is formed by fastening
the vest to the inner jacket. The first composite jacket has an
outside surface which is the exterior surface and an inside surface
which is the outer surface. The outer jacket has a jacket front
panel, a jacket rear panel, a first pair of sleeves and a fastener
for opening the outer jacket. A third plurality of pockets cover
the external and the internal surfaces. The outer jacket has a
collar which has a removable hood. A second composite jacket is
formed via a fastener, which extends around an outer seam of the
first composite jacket and of the outer jacket.
Inventors: |
Ost; Lynn Van (West Trenton,
NJ), Manfre; Karen R. (West Trenton, NJ) |
Family
ID: |
25042788 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/756,279 |
Filed: |
November 25, 1996 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69; 2/93; 2/85;
2/94; 2/108; 2/102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D
3/00 (20130101); A41D 15/00 (20130101); A41D
13/0012 (20130101); A41D 27/04 (20130101); A41D
2400/70 (20130101); A41D 2200/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A41D
3/00 (20060101); A41D 15/00 (20060101); A41D
13/00 (20060101); A41D 003/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;2/108,85,93,94,69,69.5,102,79 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Cabela's 1994--Annual Fall Catalog; p. 45--Water Fowler 4-way Parka
& p. 69 3-in-1 Parka..
|
Primary Examiner: Hale; Gloria
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Glynn; Kenneth P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A multi-compartment, modular clothing, comprising:
a) a vest having a vest front panel, a vest rear panel and a pair
of armholes, said vest front panel having a first fastening means
for opening and closing said vest;
b) said vest front panel and said vest rear panel each having an
inner surface and an outer surface;
c) a first plurality of pockets covering said outer surface of said
vest front panel and said vest rear panel;
d) means for releasably attaching a pair of detachable sleeves to
said pair of armholes;
e) an inner jacket having a front panel, a rear panel and a pair of
sleeves, said front panel having a second fastening means for
opening and closing said inner jacket;
f) said front panel and said rear panel each having an interior
surface and an exterior surface;
g) said exterior surface of said rear panel having a pouch;
h) a second plurality of pockets covering said pouch and said
exterior surface of said front panel and said rear panel;
i) said inner jacket having a collar, said collar having means for
containing a collapsible hood;
j) said vest having a third fastening means for fastening said vest
to said inner jacket through a complementary fastening means
located on said inner jacket, said vest fastened to said inner
jacket forming a first composite jacket;
k) said first composite jacket having an outside surface and an
inside surface, wherein said outside surface is said exterior
surface of said front panel of said inner jacket and said rear
panel of said inner jacket and said inside surface is said outer
surface of said vest front panel and said vest rear panel;
l) an outer jacket having a jacket front panel, a jacket rear panel
and a first pair of sleeves, said jacket front panel having a
fourth fastening means for opening and closing said outer jacket,
said jacket front panel and said jacket rear panel each having an
internal surface and an external surface;
m) a third plurality of pockets covering said external and said
internal surface of said jacket front panel and said jacket rear
panel;
n) said outer jacket having a first collar, said first collar
having means for removably attaching a hood;
o) means for enclosingly fastening said outer jacket to said first
composite jacket to form a second composite jacket, said means for
enclosingly fastening having a first member extending around an
outer seam of said first composite jacket and a complementary
second member extending around an outer seam of said outer
jacket;
p) said second composite jacket having an innermost surface and an
outermost surface, wherein said innermost surface is said outer
surface of said vest front panel and said vest rear panel and said
outermost surface is said external surface of said jacket front
panel and said jacket rear panel.
2. The clothing as recited in claim 1, further including a fourth
plurality of pockets covering said pair of sleeves and said first
pair of sleeves.
3. The clothing as recited in claim 2, wherein said vest rear panel
has a mesh portion.
4. The clothing as recited in claim 3, wherein said jacket rear
panel further includes a detachable apron.
5. The clothing as recited in claim 4, wherein said jacket front
panel further includes on seam pockets.
6. The clothing as recited in claim 5, wherein said jacket front
panel further includes a plurality of flap closures adjacent to
said fourth fastening means for opening and closing.
7. The clothing as recited in claim 6, wherein said third plurality
of pockets and said fourth plurality of pockets have side entry
means.
8. The clothing as recited in claim 7, wherein said first plurality
of pockets, said second plurality of pockets, said third plurality
of pockets and said fourth plurality of pockets are detachable.
9. A multi-compartment, modular garment, comprising:
a) a vest having a first means for opening and closing, an inner
surface, an outer surface, and a means for releasably attaching a
pair of detachable sleeves to said vest;
b) a first plurality of pockets covering said outer surface;
c) an inner jacket having a pair of sleeves, a second means for
opening and closing, an interior surface and an exterior
surface;
d) said exterior surface having a pouch on a back portion of said
inner jacket;
e) a second plurality of pockets covering said pouch and said
exterior surface;
f) means for fastening said vest to said inner jacket, said vest
fastened to said inner jacket forming a composite jacket wherein an
outside surface of said composite jacket is said exterior surface
of said inner jacket and an inside surface of said composite jacket
is said outer surface of said vest;
g) an outer jacket having a first pair of sleeves, a third means
for opening and closing, an internal surface, and an external
surface;
h) a third plurality of pockets covering said external surface and
said internal surface;
i) means for enclosingly fastening said outer jacket to said inner
jacket, said means for enclosingly fastening extending around an
outer seam of said inner jacket and said outer jacket, wherein an
innermost surface is said outer surface of said vest and outermost
surface is said external surface of said outer jacket.
10. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein a back portion of
said vest has a mesh panel.
11. The garment as recited in claim 10, wherein said inner jacket
further includes a collar, said collar having a collapsible
hood.
12. The garment as recited in claim 11, wherein said outer jacket
further includes a detachable hood.
13. The garment as recited in claim 12, further including a fourth
plurality of pockets covering said pair of sleeves and said first
pair of sleeves.
14. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein said outer jacket
further includes a detachable apron.
15. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein said outer jacket
further includes on seam pockets.
16. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein said third plurality
of pockets and said fourth plurality of pockets have side
access.
17. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein said outer jacket
further includes a plurality of flap closures adjacent to said
third means for opening and closing.
18. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein said first plurality
of pockets, said second plurality of pockets, said third plurality
of pockets and said fourth plurality of pockets are detachably
attached.
19. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein a fourth plurality
of pockets cover said pair of sleeves and said first pair of
sleeves.
20. The garment as recited in claim 9, wherein said inner jacket
further includes a collar, said collar having a collapsible hood.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to jackets having all year
usability. Specifically, the present invention provides a
multi-functional jacket which has three separte layers and is
convertible between an outer jacket, an inner jacket, a trainers
vest and a combination of all three layers. More specifically, each
jacket type has multiple pockets for the holding of various
items.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The following patents describe jackets which attempt to provide all
season wear and try to provide multi-purpose and multi-functional
features.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 251,936 to Ted G. Shaw illustrates a combined
jacket and detachable pack, or similar article.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,611,444 to C. T. Rector describes a detachable
pocket for wearing apparel. The detachable pocket has two layers
which are connected via a continuous seam. Access to the interior
of the pocket is accomplished by cutting a slit in the side of the
detachable pocket which is attached to the wearing apparel. When
the pocket is attached it automatically seals the opening in the
pocket. The pocket is attached via loop and hook mechanisms.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,549 to Paul Ray Atkinson describes a jacket
which has vertical paneling on the front of a vest which can
attach/detach pockets (using filamentary loop and hook mechanisms)
and a back pocket which is formed by attaching a flap section to
the body of the jacket.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,059 to Louis Spitz discloses a jacket having
removable sleeves and hoods. The jacket has an internal retaining
means for holding the detached sleeves and thereby increasing the
thermal characteristics of the jacket. The sleeves are attached to
the jacket via zippers and are retained in the jacket using loop
and hook mechanisms.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,155 to Seiichi Maeshima describes a jumper
which is convertible to and from a thick type jumper to a thin type
jumper by detachably attaching a liner. The jumper is constructed
such that the liner can be held within the jumper itself when not
desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,682 to Paul A. Hillquist describes a jacket
which is convertible between a vest and a jacket with sleeves
and/or with a hood. The convertible jacket consists of a sleeveless
body garment and an upper component. The upper component has two
sleeve portions connected by a yoke portion incorporating a
neckhole and optionally, a neckhole extension such as a collar or
hood. The two parts are attached together via buttons at specific
places.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,089 to Gary E. Nesse describes a garment which
can be converted from a jacket to a vest and back. The jacket has
retractable sleeves which are rolled into a pair of sleeve storage
compartments, which encircle the arm holes. The jacket also has a
retractable hood which is storable in a hidden compartment around
the neck hole. Retractable safety panels are featured on the back
of the jacket, as is a day pack (i.e. a back pocket). There is also
a means for adjusting the tightness of the jacket around the torso
of the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,647 issued to James G. Phillips, St. describes
a cold weather system for keeping a wearer comfortable in a
temperature range of about -60.degree. F. to +40.degree. F. and in
winds up to 100 miles per hour. The system comprises a shirt,
pants, parka, wind shirt and wind pants. The shirt and pants are
ventable so that they provide comfort over a wide temperature
range, the vents being completely closed when maximum thermal
protection is desired. The parka includes a windskirt which engages
the wearer's legs. The parka and the wind shirt can be connected
together to provide an emergency bivouac sleeping bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,656 to Gary E. Neese describes a removable
insert assembly which can be used in combination with jackets
and/or vests to provide thermal insulation during cold weather. The
insert assembly can also be manufactured with ballistic material to
provide removable body armor. It could also be constructed as a
personal flotation device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,127 issued to Eric Scott Zevchak discloses a
system of interchangeable pockets which can be used on any type of
clothing. A first type of fastening device is attached to the item
of interest. A complementary fastening device is attached to the
pocket itself, which is then attachable to the item of
interest.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,614 to Kenneth E. McSheffery discloses a
reversible fishing garment which has exterior flaps attached to the
right and left torsal portions. Each exterior flap opens outwardly
from the wearer's body to expose a plurality of easily accessible
clear plastic pockets that are detachably secured to the interior
of the flaps.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,456 to Lewis R. Elin discloses an outer garment
for use by emergency medical services personnel. The garment is
provided with an exterior tool holster panel positioned on the
exterior of the front of the garment. The holster includes a
plurality of pockets each adapted to receive a piece of emergency
medical equipment. The tool holster is hingedly attached at the top
so that it can easily swing out from the body when the user is bent
over a victim.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,838 to Dane E. Senser discloses a convertible,
outerwear garment comprising a vest which has an interior pocket
containing sleeves and an interior section connecting the two
sleeves. It further includes a pocket on the back which holds a
compressed pouch and hood for rainy conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,075 to Ronald J. Svetich discloses an athlete's
arm jacket which includes a first and a second shell portion, each
having a sleeve portion which is removably attached, for covering
both sides of the upper torso of a person wearing the jacket. Each
shell has an interior mesh portion which is exposed when the sleeve
portion is removed from either the first or second shell
portion.
Notwithstanding the above prior art, it is believed that the jacket
set forth herein is neither taught nor rendered obvious.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an all season modular, multi-compartment
clothing. The clothing has three layers, namely, an outer jacket,
an inner jacket and a vest with detachable sleeves. The layers can
be worn separately or in combination with each other. For example,
the vest can be used during the summer for hiking, fishing, as a
sports trainer's vest and other similar activities. The vest can
then be modified by adding the detachable sleeves so that the user
can use it during spring on those cool but pleasant days. The inner
jacket, either separately or in combination with the vest, can be
used as a windbreaker for cool, windy days or rainy, blustery days
during the fall months. Finally, the outer jacket, either
separately or in combination with the others, can be used during
cold, wintery days. The three layer construction provides added
warmth and flexibility in use. Each layer of the clothing has a
plurality of pockets which can be used by the user to store a
multitude of items.
As stated, the clothing consists of three layers, which can be worn
concurrently or separately. The vest can be attached to the inner
jacket by a fastener which extends around the entire outer seam of
both the vest and the inner jacket. In making the attachment, the
vest is turned inside out, and then attached to the inner jacket.
As such, the resulting composite jacket has pockets on both the
inside and outside. The composite jacket or the inner jacket is
also attachable to the outer jacket by a continuous fastener, which
extends around the entire outer seam of the medium weight or inner
and outer jackets, including the neck opening. This continuous
fastener ensures the warmest possible seal between the two or three
layers. This final composite jacket would also have pockets on the
outside and the inside.
In one embodiment, the inner and outer surfaces of each of the
layers have detachable pockets. That is, each individual layer has
a plurality of inner and outer removable pockets which are located
around the entire surface of each of the layers. The pockets are
removably attached so that the user can replace a large single
pocket with a plurality of smaller pockets and vice versa.
In other embodiments, the outer jacket has a detachable apron which
extends from the back side downwardly to provide added wet weather
protection. In addition, the outer jacket has a detachable hood and
the inner jacket has a collar which contains a collapsible
hood.
The present invention accomplishes the above functionality and
corrects the defects of past devices by providing a
multi-compartment, modular jacket which includes a vest which has a
vest front panel, a vest rear panel and a pair of armholes. The
vest front panel has a first means for opening the vest. The vest
front panel and the vest rear panel each have an inner surface and
an outer surface. A first plurality of pockets cover the outer
surface of the vest front panel and the vest rear panel. The vest
further includes a means for releasably attaching a pair of
detachable sleeves to the pair of armholes. The inner jacket has a
front panel, a rear panel and a pair of sleeves. The front panel
has a second means for opening the inner jacket. The front panel
and the rear panel each has an interior surface and an exterior
surface. The exterior surface of the rear panel has a pouch. A
second plurality of pockets covers the pouch and the exterior
surface of the front panel and the rear panel. The inner jacket has
a collar which has a means for containing a collapsible hood. The
vest has a means for fastening and the inner jacket has a
complementary means for fastening the vest to the inner jacket to
form a first composite jacket. The first composite jacket has an
outside surface and an inside surface, wherein the outside surface
is the exterior surface of the front panel and the rear panel and
the inside surface is the outer surface of the vest front panel and
the vest rear panel. The outer jacket has a jacket front panel, a
jacket rear panel and a first pair of sleeves. The jacket front
panel has a third means for opening the outer jacket. The jacket
front panel and the jacket rear panel each has an internal surface
and an external surface. A third plurality of pockets cover the
external and the internal surface of the jacket front panel and the
jacket rear panel. The outer jacket has a first collar which has a
means for removably attaching a hood. It further has a means for
enclosingly fastening the outer jacket to the first composite
jacket to form a second composite jacket. The means for enclosingly
fastening has a first member extending around an outer seam of the
first composite jacket and a complementary second member extending
around an outer seam of the outer jacket. The second composite
jacket has an innermost surface and an outermost surface, wherein
the innermost surface is the outer surface of the vest front panel
and the vest rear panel and the outermost surface is the external
surface of the jacket front panel and the jacket rear panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention should be more fully understood when the
specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings
appended thereto, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the vest layer of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 shows a back view of the vest embodiment shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 shows a front view an embodiment of an inner jacket of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows a front view of an embodiment of a combined vest and
inner jacket of the present invention;
FIG. 6 shows a front view of an embodiment of the outer jacket of
the present invention;
FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6; and
FIG. 8 shows a front view of an embodiment of a combined vest,
inner jacket and outer jacket of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention is a three piece all season clothing garment
which is convertible between three layers, namely, a vest with or
without sleeves, an inner jacket and an outer jacket. Furthermore,
the vest can be combined with the inner jacket to create .a first
composite jacket. The first composite jacket can then be combined
with the outer jacket to create a second composite jacket. As such,
the clothing garment can be worn with all three layers connected or
in a single layer fashion. This triple layer attachability provides
greater flexibility in use during the entire year. Each layer has a
plurality of pockets which cover both the front and back of the
individual layer. In combination form, the garment has pockets
lining the inside and outside surfaces. The pockets may be
detachable.
The vest and the inner jacket are joined using fasteners which
extend along the outer seam of the vest and inner jacket. The inner
jacket and outer jacket are joined via a continuous fastener which
runs along the outer seam of the inner jacket and outer jacket,
including the neck portion. This provides the most complete
enclosability to the user and helps in retaining and maintaining
the thermal comfort of the user.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a front and rear view of a vest 10 is
shown. Vest 10 has a front panel 15, a rear panel 20 and a pair of
armholes 25 and 26. Front panel 15 has a fastener 30 for opening
and closing vest 10. Fastener 30 can be a zipper, filamentary loop
and hook mechanisms, or other similar attachment mechanisms. Front
panel 15 and rear panel 20 further have an inner surface 35 and an
outer surface 36. A plurality of pockets 40 cover outer surface 36.
Pockets 40 are of assorted sizes, namely, small, medium and large
and are opened/closed using conventional closure mechanisms.
Pockets 40 may be of the detachable type. As such, the user can
modify the carrying capacity of vest 10 easily and without having
to change garments or carry extra jackets. Since vest 10 is more
likely to be worn during warmer weather, a mesh panel 45 is
provided on rear panel 20. A flap 23 overlays mesh panel 45 to
provide protection from the sun.
If needed, a pair of detachable sleeves 50 and 51 can be attached
at arm holes 25 and 26, respectively. Detachable sleeves 50 and 51
are attached to armholes 25 and 26 via fastening mechanism 60 and
61. Fastening mechanism 60 and 61 is preferably implemented using
filamentary loop and hook mechanisms and/or zippers. However, other
attachment mechanisms can be used. Detachable sleeves 50 and 51
have elastic cuffs 70 and 71 for better fit. A drawstring 80,
having ends 82 and 84, is also provided to obtain a tighter and
better fit.
As mentioned above, vest 10 can be attached to an inner jacket 100
(as shown in FIGS. 3-5). This is preferably accomplished using
complementary attachment mechanisms such as snaps 90 and will be
detailed below. Filamentary loop and hook mechanisms and other such
fastening devices can also be used.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a front view and rear view of inner
jacket 100 is shown. Inner jacket 100 has a front panel 115, a rear
panel 120, a pair of sleeves 125 and 126, and a collar 127. Front
panel 115 has a fastener 130 for opening and closing inner jacket
100. Front panel 115 and rear panel 120 further have an inner
surface 135 and an outer surface 136. Outer surface 136 of rear
panel 120 has a pouch 137, which provides additional storage
capacity. A plurality of pockets 140 cover outer surface 36 and
pouch 137. That is, pouch 137 and pockets 140 form a double pocket
combination. More storage area is provided by placing a pair of
pockets 160 and 161 on sleeves 125 and 126, respectively. Pockets
160 and 161 are accessed from the side. Inner jacket 100 provides
adjustable cuffs 170 and 171 to give better fit. Added protection
from the rain or wind is provided by collapsible hood 150, which is
located inside collar 127. Collapsible hood 150 is accessed by
opening zipper 151 and pulling out collapsible hood 150.
As mentioned above, inner jacket 100 can be attached to vest 10
and/or to outer jacket 300 (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). Note that
identical parts are identically numbered in FIG. 5. Referring now
to FIG. 5, attachment to vest 10, to form a first composite jacket
200, is done by mating snaps 90 to snap complements 190. This first
requires that vest 10 be turned inside out and then be snapped to
inner jacket 100. As a result, pockets 40 of vest 10 become the
internal pockets 240 of first composite jacket 200 and the external
pockets 241 are pockets 140 of inner jacket 100. First composite
jacket 200 therefore has pockets lining both sides of jacket 200.
This feature increases the carrying capacity and usefulness of
first composite jacket 200. Attachment to outer jacket 300 is
accomplished via continuous fastener 195, which extends along the
entire outer seam of inner jacket 100, including along collar 127.
Continuous fastener 195 thus provides a complete seal between inner
jacket 100 and outer jacket 300. This provides the most complete
seal between inner jacket 100 and outer jacket 300.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a front and rear view of outer
jacket 300 is shown. Outer jacket 300 has a front panel 315, a rear
panel 320, a pair of sleeves 325 and 326, and a collar 327. Front
panel 315 has a fastener 330 for opening and closing outer jacket
300. Front panel 315 and rear panel 320 further have an inner
surface 335 and an outer surface 336. A plurality of pockets 340
cover inner surface 335 and outer surface 336. More storage area is
provided by placing a pair of pockets 360 and 361 on sleeves 325
and 326, respectively. Pockets 360 and 361 are accessed from the
side. Pockets 340, some of which are located on the bottom of outer
surface 336 of front panel 315, also have side access. Outer jacket
300 also has seam pockets 345, which as the name implies, are along
the seam of outer jacket 345 and are used to carry pens, whistles
and other such items.
Outer jacket 300 provides adjustable cuffs 370 and 371 to give
better fit and comfort. Added protection from the rain, snow or
wind is provided by detachable hood 350, which is attachable at a
base of collar 327 with filamentary loop and hook mechanisms,
zippers, snaps or other similar detachable mechanisms. Detachable
hood 350 further has enclosures 351 and 352 which can be fastened
together to prevent exposure of the face of the user from the cold.
The user can also get a closer and snug fit by using drawstring
380, which has ends 381 and 382, to tighten outer jacket 300 around
the user. More added protection to the user is provided by
detachable apron 385. Detachable apron 385 allows the user to sit
safely and/or drily on wet and/or cold benches and other like
areas. It also helps reduce the amount of water and/or air that may
hit the user's legs and/or flow up the back of outer jacket 300.
Detachable apron 385 is preferably attached to the interior, bottom
surface of rear panel 320 using releasable attachment mechanisms.
Flaps 380 are provided on front panel 315 to additionally seal
outer jacket 300 and fits over fastener 330. Throughout this
description, detachable generally indicates the preferred usage of
filamentary loop and hook mechanisms to attach/detach the item of
interest. Other similar mechanisms can be used.
As stated above, outer jacket 300 can be connected to first
composite jacket 200 to form a second composite jacket 400, which
would then have a three layer construction. Outer jacket 300 could
also be connected to inner jacket 100 to form a two layer jacket.
Outer jacket 300 has a complementary continuous fastener 395 which
extends along the outer seam of outer jacket 300 including the neck
portion. Referring to FIG. 8, when continuous fastener 195 and
complementary continuous fastener 395 are joined, second composite
jacket 400 is assembled. In this combination, inner surface 35 of
vest 10 becomes an inner surface 435 of second composite jacket 400
and outer surface 336 of outer jacket 300 becomes an outer surface
of second composite jacket 400. As a consequence, second composite
jacket 400 has pockets on all surfaces and has three layers of
material for thermal insulation.
Vest 10, inner jacket 100 and outer jacket 300 are preferably
constructed out of materials which provide protection from wet,
windy, cold conditions or a combination thereof. Vest 10, since it
is primarily for the summer, is preferably constructed from nylon,
light canvas, cotton and other such materials. A water resistant
and/or repellant material may be used or coated on. The object is
to make it light and comfortable, but also useful. Inner jacket 100
is preferably constructed from polyester, nylon, polyethylene,
polypropylene, water repellant materials, and water resistant
materials. In addition, inner jacket 100 could also use thermally
insulating materials on the exterior surfaces and/or as inner
insulation. The inner facing surfaces could in addition to the
above, be constructed from fleece, wool, cotton or a combination of
any the above listed materials. Again, the object is to keep the
weight to a minimum, but provide effectivity against the weather.
Outer jacket 300 is constructed similarly to inner jacket 100.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is
therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims,
the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein.
* * * * *